Boolean String to search by zip code and required radius around that zip code

[Palak Verma]

Hi,

Can anyone please suggest me how to write Boolean Search string to search for example Java candidates in any particular zip code e.g. 94089 and also in radius of 50 miles around the zip code.

Thanks in advance

Palak

[Glen Cathey]

Palak,

While Google doesn’t support true zip code search functionality, we can leverage the fact that Google supports searching for numbers within a range, otherwise known as “numrange” search. You can perform a numrange search on any sequential (low to high) set of numbers by typing two periods between the numbers without any spaces. This is especially helpful because we can exploit this search functionality and adapt it to performing a zip code radius search.

For example, take your target zip code and use this handy zip code radius lookup application ( http://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code-radius-finder.asp - there are many others), which you can use to search for zip codes in a radius and sort the zip codes within the radius from low to high.

Using a central zip code of 94089 in CA, and targeting a 30 mile radius, we can use that zip code radius application to get a range of zip codes from a low zip code of 94002 to a high zip code of 95196.

http://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code-radius-finder.asp?SN=zipcode&...

Using Google’s numrange search syntax, here is a very basic example of a search string targeting people within a 30-mile radius of 94089 in CA:

94002..95196 (CA | California) Java (intitle:resume | inurl:resume) -job -jobs -sample -samples

You need to add something like (CA | California) to hit on addresses because Google doesn't "know" the 5 digit numbers you're looking for are zip codes, and you can get a load of false positives otherwise.

You can find more info on this topic here:
http://www.booleanblackbelt.com/2009/02/how-to-find-resumes-on-the-...

[Palak Verma]

Thanks a lot Glen for your reply.I also read your article on Boolean Belts site and got the above answer. It was very useful and informative.

Glen Cathey said:

Palak,

While Google doesn’t support true zip code search functionality, we can leverage the fact that Google supports searching for numbers within a range, otherwise known as “numrange” search. You can perform a numrange search on any sequential (low to high) set of numbers by typing two periods between the numbers without any spaces. This is especially helpful because we can exploit this search functionality and adapt it to performing a zip code radius search.

For example, take your target zip code and use this handy zip code radius lookup application ( http://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code-radius-finder.asp - there are many others), which you can use to search for zip codes in a radius and sort the zip codes within the radius from low to high.

Using a central zip code of 94089 in CA, and targeting a 30 mile radius, we can use that zip code radius application to get a range of zip codes from a low zip code of 94002 to a high zip code of 95196.

http://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code-radius-finder.asp?SN=zipcode&...

Using Google’s numrange search syntax, here is a very basic example of a search string targeting people within a 30-mile radius of 94089 in CA:

94002..95196 (CA | California) Java (intitle:resume | inurl:resume) -job -jobs -sample -samples

You need to add something like (CA | California) to hit on addresses because Google doesn't "know" the 5 digit numbers you're looking for are zip codes, and you can get a load of false positives otherwise.

You can find more info on this topic here:
http://www.booleanblackbelt.com/2009/02/how-to-find-resumes-on-the-...